Oral Literature and Femininity: The Igbo Example

Abstract

Several works have been done on one type of African literature or another. This paper is another attempt to look into literature, with emphasis on the place of women in literature, especially Igbo literature. It will look at the oral-traditional aspect. ‘Oral’ and ‘traditional’ here, mean vocal nature of its performance and its transmission and dissemination by word of mouth from one generation to another. The traditional oral genres as carried out here are musical styles, which are part of the cultural tradition.
It could be with religious origin, domestic function or institutional association. Since they are part of the cultural lives of the people, they are preserved, so that the younger generations may learn the culture and ethics of their people.